The Devil Deserves To Be A Diplomat

Wintour accompanied by Vogue editor at large Andre Leon Talley

Recently a video has been circulating depicting members of the White House press corps mocking Vogue magazine editor in chief Anna Wintour. Wintour, whom some refer to as the high priestess of fashion, was heavily involved in President Obama’s reelection efforts. She raised the fourth most amount of money for the campaign and lent her face and prestige to countless events supporting the reelection of the President.  She even spearheaded “Runway to Win” an effort by twenty three designers including Tracy Reese, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Marc Jacobs, to support by designing patriotic themed attire to be sold to fund the campaign.

She has maintained her post at Vogue for longer than I have been alive and in that time period she has brought vision and revolution to the American fashion world. She is known for her pursuit of excellence and lack of tolerance for excuses. She is widely considered to be graceful, refined and competent.

Marc Jacob's contribution to Runway to Win

And yet when the question arose of Wintour being possibly appointed to an ambassadorship to either France or the United Kingdom (she already has a fantastic public image in her own right in both) the room erupted with laughter. In fact a reporter was so brazen as question whether Miss Wintour was a diplomatic human being asking pointedly whether our President had ever seen “The Devil Wears Prada”.



Tom Coughlin reprimanding a player

But before you have a laugh at Miss Wintour’s expense ask yourself if the question of a possible ambassadorship would be a comical if the subject were Tom Coughlin. A man who has become an intimidating figure in both the sports world and pop culture Coughlin has a reputation for seeking distinction and   excellence from his players. As a multiple super bowl winning coach for the New York Giants Coughlin has achieved greatness through his tenacity and foresight-much like Miss Wintour.  Yet despite the similar traits needed to complete their vastly different job only one has received public jabs about their career.

The reaction of the press corps to the rumor that Anna Wintour might be named an ambassador is a reflection of our country’s attitude towards the fashion industry as a whole and it is grossly offensive. There is no reason that men like Coughlin should be lauded as leaders and women like Anna should be painted as nothing more than overpaid mean girls.

It can be argued that both fashion and football are frivolous. But what cannot be argued is that to succeed in either billion dollar industry requires a skillset that includes leadership, vision, and even a certain level of diplomacy.